Since its reveal in 2015, Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch has played a major role in the rise of artificial wave pools around the world. As these manmade surf spots have become more common, so has the footage—so much so that viewers have grown a bit numb to it. The excitement of perfect waves on demand has started to feel routine.
But a new clip of Slater riding at Surf Ranch changes that. This time, it’s filmed with a 360-degree camera, offering an entirely fresh perspective. As Slater rides the wave, a filmer on a jet ski captures every angle, putting viewers right inside the barrel with the 11-time world champ. It’s possibly the closest most people will ever come to experiencing a deep tube ride at Surf Ranch.
This type of footage marks a leap in surf cinematography. While GoPros and personal cams have long been staples in action sports, 360 cameras like the GoPro Max have upped the game. These cameras record everything around them at once, allowing editors to choose the best angle after the fact—meaning there’s no need to aim during filming, but every shot is captured.
The result? A dynamic, immersive experience unlike the typical wave pool edit. And when the subject is Kelly Slater, even synthetic surf looks extraordinary.